End-of-Life Planning Planning now for the end of life—no matter what your health status may be—helps ensure that your wishes are followed. For many, this brings peace of mind and a sense of control. It also takes the burden off loved ones, because they don’t have to guess what you would want. Even though there are many benefits to planning ahead, talking about death can be difficult. It’s important to remember that thinking and talking about dying does not mean that you will face death sooner. And it ce...

Pets Fill a Special Role in Seniors' Lives Having a pet can be a boon to body and soul—especially as we age. "Seniors can benefit substantially from pet ownership," says Richard B. Ford, D.V.M., M.S., a veterinarian. Pets offer companionship, something to nurture, unconditional love, and a sense of security in new situations. And pets can relieve stress, which may help explain why studies have found that pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The nurturing role "Taking care of a cr...

A Look at Senior Nutrition Not everyone's nutrition needs are identical. As we age, our bodies and metabolism change. Although older adults still need plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fiber, they need to add or subtract a few things from the diet they followed earlier in life. Many older adults have a decreased sense of taste and decreased absorption. They need to make sure they get enough water and nutrients, even if they must take supplements to get them. Although we all should drink...

Aging Eyes and Glasses As your eyes age, their lenses become less flexible, and they slowly lose their ability to focus on nearby objects. It's an ongoing, lifelong process called presbyopia, which you begin to notice between ages 40 and 45, when the condition starts to affect close-up tasks such as reading. It requires some attitude adjustment, especially if have to start wearing glasses for the first time. Presbyopia affects almost everyone over the age of 50. Until now, you could choose your own work...

As People Age, They Grow Through the daily grapevine of popular culture, we get the message over and over that young is better than old. But new research contradicts these age-old stereotypes. Indeed, studies suggest that the older you get, the happier you become. If you're surprised, it's probably because you associate old age with disease, depression and disability. The advantages of being older are that you're settled, you've accomplished things in life, and you're more content with the way you are, ...

Common Balance Problems Balance affects our everyday lives in surprising ways. Here are some common balance problems. Have you ever been sitting in a car when a car in the lane next to yours started forward, and you thought you were going backward? Our eyes can sometimes fool us. That's why, for a complete sense of balance, we also need the vestibular system—fluid-filled organs in the inner ear—and proprioception, the information received by the nerves in the skin, muscles and joints. When you turn arou...

Don't Forget to Remember Do you remember what you had for dinner last night? What about dinner last week? How about the name of your second-grade teacher? Your memory is built in three basic steps. Before you can remember something, you have to learn it. This is called "acquisition"—you acquire the information, and your brain places it in short-term memory. This is where the information about last night's dinner ends up. If you want to remember something for a longer period—your address, for instance, o...

For Seniors: How to Prevent Falls As you age, your risk for falling increases. More than one-third of people ages 65 and older and half of those ages 75 and older fall each year. Although most falls cause only minor injuries, between 10 and 15 percent cause fractures and other severe injuries that severely limit independence. The risk is even greater for people who have fallen within the past year. Falls can occur anywhere, but most occur in the home. They can occur while climbing stairs or getting out ...

How Older Adults Can Prevent Hypothermia You probably know winter can spell trouble. You can fall on ice or overdo it shoveling snow, for instance. But did you know cold itself can cause a problem? It's called hypothermia, and it takes place when your body temperature drops below normal. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says older adults are especially prone to hypothermia, which can prove deadly if it's not treated quickly. Staying in a cold place for too long can cause the problem. Every year, hy...

On the Road in Retirement Now that you're retired, you have time to travel. So you choose a destination, develop an itinerary, order the passport, and pack the bags. But wait, you forgot one important detail: your health. You've got company. Millions of travelers ponder every aspect of their itinerary, but forget to take health care precautions. Yet this can be a costly and even life-threatening mistake. Whether you plan to see the pyramids in Egypt or visit your cousin Vinny in the Bronx, you need to b...

Remember This: Many Have Memory Lapses "Where are my car keys?" "What was your name again?" "Oh! I completely forgot our meeting today!" Unpredictable, frustrating and, at times, embarrassing memory lapses like these are moments many of us would rather forget. Yet if frequent bouts of forgetfulness are causing you stress and worry, take note-there is most likely a simple explanation. "The memory troubles most people experience are quite common," says Suzanne Craft, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and beh...

Tips for Driving After Age 60 Although we can get around by bike, bus, train, or sidewalk, most Americans rely on their car when it comes to getting from one place to another. Driving is a key to independence. As you get older, you should be able to continue to drive. A person's ability to drive isn't based on age alone. Age or disease-related changes in vision, physical fitness, and reflexes, however, may be reasons to reevaluate your abilities behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffi...

Build a Buff Brain "Okay, let's work those cerebrums and cerebellums harder, ladies and gents. Remember, no strain, no gain--and someday no brain." Sound like a fitness class for the brain? It's not as far-fetched as you might think. "Our brain is just like any other organ in the body," says Joseph Verghese, M.D., an associate professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. "We need to exercise our brains just as we would our bodies on a regular basis to keep them in grea...

Grandparents, Keep Kids Safe in Toyland Buying toys for your grandchildren is one of the joys of grandparenting. Before you hit the stores this holiday season, though, remember that the best toys are not just fun but also safe. By choosing the right gifts for your grandchild's age group, you'll delight your little one while avoiding a toy-related accident. "The leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries is choking from small toys or parts," says Nychelle Fleming, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Pro...

Too Old to Exercise? Not True Can a person be too old or too weak to exercise? Not according to Chhanda Dutta, Ph.D., chief of clinical gerontology at the National Institute on Aging. There is no such thing, she says. "It used to be part of the stereotype that when people get older, they get frail and exercise gets dangerous," Dr. Dutta says. "That's just not true. What we now know is that it is more dangerous not to exercise. "There's a lot to gain out of just moving," she adds. Gayle Doll, Ph.D., agre...

Treasure Playtime with the Grandkids The grandkids are coming—and you're feeling unprepared. How will you entertain them while staying within your budget? Making your home a fun place for grandkids is easier and more affordable than you may think. Provide a "treasure chest" of inexpensive, kid-friendly items. And, add a healthy dose of your undivided attention. "If you want to keep a kid happy, the very best toy is you," says Ken Ginsburg, M.D., a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr....

Volunteers Gain While They Give Retirement years can be a time to do what you want to do rather than what you have to do. It's your chance to focus on the things that interest you. A lot of mature adults are finding they can do that—and help others—by volunteering. Mature adults make up an enormous pool of knowledge, talent, experience, and expertise. Many find volunteering offers a way to use skills they gained through a lifetime. Volunteering can fulfill and satisfy them after the pressures and time d...

Age and Asthma Many people think of asthma as a childhood disease, but it often occurs as a new condition in older adults. Asthma in older adults presents some special concerns because the normal effects of aging can make asthma harder to diagnose. “Unlike young people with asthma, whose main symptom is wheezing, seniors usually have a chronic cough,” according to Reynold Panettieri Jr., M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. “For this reason, asthma in older adul...

Alcohol and Older Adults Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. Having a drink now and then is fine—as long as you don’t overdo it. When you’re older, your body and mind have a different relationship with alcohol than they used to. Alcohol and aging People become more sensitive to alcohol’s effects as they age, according to the National Institute on Aging. After age 65, your lean body mass and water content decrease. In addition, your metabolism slow...

Answers to Your Advance-Care Questions Only 25 percent of Americans have done advance-care planning. Advance-care planning means making decisions about the care you want if you aren't able to speak for yourself. “Without specific written instructions from you in which you spell out the types of treatment you would or would not want, your family and health care providers may be left wondering how to help you if you’re unable to communicate because of an illness or accident,” says Kathy Brandt, vice presi...

Five Tips for Caregivers Are you a caregiver? According to the National Family Caregivers Association, 30 percent of the 50 million American caregivers are age 65 or older. But you may have taken on the role without even knowing it. "Many people don't consider themselves caregivers. They say, 'I'm her husband or his sister, not a caregiver,'" says nurse LeAnn Thieman, author of Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul . Experts have some frank advice for caregivers: First, identify yourself as a caregiver....

Seniors Can Cook With Class Cooking is all the rage, and you can enjoy cooking classes, even if you've prepared meals most of your life. You can learn techniques that help your health and your budget while you're having fun. You don't eat the way you did when you were in your 20s. You've probably cut back on calories and fat and reduced your sodium intake. A cooking class can show you how to make those changes taste better as you create a healthy, balanced diet. In addition to cooking, classes may cover...

What's Your Mental Fitness? When you head to the gym to get your back and belly in shape, don't forget there's one more "B" you need to work out. It may be the most important one of all. "Our brain is just like any other organ in the body," says Joseph Verghese, M.D. He's an associate professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. "All of us, especially persons 62 or older, need to exercise our brains just as we would our bodies on a regular basis to keep them in great shape....

For Seniors: Avoid Injury When You Exercise Staying active—getting regular exercise—is one of the best ways to minimize the effects of aging. Exercise helps prevent chronic illness and loss of function in older adults, according to the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). But exercise should yield benefits without strain. The benefit of exercise comes from moving, not from pushing so hard it hurts, says Rick Kellerman, M.D., a family medicine specialist in Wichita, Kan. Pain is a sign you are overdoing it...

For a Senior Adventure, Get on the Bus Don't get around much anymore? Hop on the bus. Bus trips, a staple of outings for older adults, offer adventure, fun, and companionship. Bus trips include everything from day trips to world-class art museums to shopping ventures to cross-country treks. Experts say bus trips benefit older adults in both body and mind because they include a combination of socialization and physical stimulation. Although studies have shown an association between staying active and a r...

For Seniors: Is Caffeine a Good Thing? Most Americans older than 60 love their coffee. The National Coffee Association says older adults drink the most coffee. Is that good or bad for you? A slew of studies in the last 40 years have addressed coffee's impact on older Americans—especially the effects of caffeine. All in all, the news is good. It seems modest consumption yields few, if any, health risks. What's modest? No more than three 8-ounce cups a day of caffeinated coffee, or about 250 mg of caffein...

Pyramid Shapes a Healthier Senior Diet What do bananas on your cereal, onions in your chili, and pears for your dessert have in common? They're great ways to get the fruits and vegetables you need to help you live a healthy, active life. MyPyramid, the federal government's food guidelines, encourages you to eat only the calories you need for your activity level. The calories should come from nutrient-rich foods, those with plenty of vitamins and minerals and relatively few calories. For example, if your...

For Seniors: Welcome to the World of the Web If you could meet people anytime you wanted, would you do it? What if you could get help solving problems by clicking a button? Well, there's a tool that's good for both those things, and a whole lot more. It's the Internet. Although older adults don't use it as much as others, a growing number are getting online every day, even if they don't own a computer. "The Internet is a great way to stay connected," says Marcie Schwarz, director of online services for ...

For Seniors: You Can Beat the Heat After age 65, your body can't adjust to changes in air temperature—especially heat—as quickly as it did when you were younger. That puts you at risk for heat-related illnesses. You also may be at greater risk for heat-related illnesses because you may have a chronic health condition or take certain medications that interfere with normal body response to heat. Some medications also restrict the body's ability to perspire. Fortunately, you can enjoy a safe summer by taki...

You're Never Too Old to Make Some Waves Older adults who want to improve their health are turning to warm-water exercise. This form of exercise can ease joint pain and other aches. Water is great for workouts because it reduces stress on the joints, says Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D.. Dr. Bryant is chief exercise specialist and a vice president at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Water cuts your "weight" by as much as 90 percent. Exercising in water limits the pain you might feel working out on land. T...

Buddy Up for Good Health Who's your buddy? How you answer that question can make a big difference in your life. "Having a buddy is important, especially as people get older and their network of friends gets smaller," says Lesley Borck Jameson, Ph.D., a spokeswoman for the American Psychological Association. "People need other people," says Dr. Jameson, the former director of the New York City Self Help Center. "But as we age, we naturally experience loss. People move away. Friends and family members die...

Good Preventive Measures for Seniors For healthy people over the age of 65 who have no chronic diseases or conditions, the American Geriatrics Society recommends the following screening tests. The exact schedule depends on your health; your health care provider may recommend different tests or at different times. Risk assessment at least every year; review medications Height and weight yearly Blood pressure yearly Vision testing yearly Depression screening at least once and if symptoms appear Hearing te...

Helping Someone With Memory Loss Diagnosing memory problems can be confusing. In older people, it's easy to mistake such problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people experience as they grow older. "However, if a person's memory problems are severe and persistent and accompanied by other changes that make it difficult for him or her to cope with everyday life, the person may have Alzheimer's disease or dementia," says Daniel Kaplan, CSW, LICSW, director of social services at the Alzheimer's F...

How to Get Optimal Medical Care To get the best medical care you can, you should be an informed patient who works closely with your health care provider. To get the most from a doctor visit, follow this advice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): Start with open communication. Don’t assume your doctor has all the information he or she needs. If you think of a detail you forgot to mention during an appointment, jot it down. Then, call your doctor or nurse. Mind your medications. Ta...

How to Make Better Treatment Decisions Millions of Americans receive medical treatments that are unnecessary, costly and even harmful to their health, according to recent studies. On the other hand, millions of Americans don't get the treatments they need. Often this occurs because people lack the information they need to make knowledgeable treatment decisions. "When choosing a treatment, it's essential to check out all your options, make sure you have enough information to make an informed choice, and ...

Living Wills Offer Peace of Mind A living will tells others how you want to be treated when it comes to life-sustaining measures. It is used when a person becomes terminally ill or unable to communicate or make decisions, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) says. Such a will doesn't always tell doctors to withhold or end treatment. In fact, it can call for treatment to go on regardless of your medical condition. Having a living will protects your rights as a patient and means that your family or friends...

Retired? It's Time to Join the Club Congratulations! You're retired, the kids are grown and at last you can do what you want. So what are you going to do with all that spare time? "We encourage people to plan financially for later life, but do very little to help them plan their 'life portfolio,' which includes their time, energy, interests and ambitions," says Jim Hinterlong, Ph.D., associate professor of social work at Florida State University. "Ironically, there is plenty of current research showing ...

Senior Centers: A Range of Opportunities Did you know that senior centers offer much more than a hot meal and bingo? "Today's senior centers are changing, and many place a strong emphasis on healthy aging and lifelong learning," says Constance Todd, director of civic engagement for the National Council on the Aging. Senior centers enrich the lives of older adults with a range of opportunities for socialization, learning, travel, volunteerism, and physical and mental challenges. So why haven't you visite...

Seniors Can Maximize Happiness by Minimizing Clutter A place for everything ... and everything all over the place. If this statement could replace the "Home Sweet Home" sign over your door--that is, if you can find the door--then you may have a problem with clutter. It's tough to enjoy the golden years among bundles of old newspapers, stacks of store receipts, and collections of used margarine tubs. You're also at higher risk for falls and fires. Take heart, pack rats. There is a way out from under the ...

Someone's in the Kitchen With Grandma Are you famous for your homemade mac-n-cheese, chocolate cake, or barbecued ribs? Can you whip up a tasty meal from odds and ends in your pantry? Now is the time to share your tried-and-true recipes and kitchen sense with those who will appreciate them the most: your grandchildren. With families today living a busier, faster-paced life, we have lost some of that special time spent cooking with children. Too often, many kids mainly eat prepackaged, processed food or ...

All About Generic Medications Generic drugs are a therapeutic "copy" of brand-name drugs. Every year, consumers save an estimated $8 to $10 billion dollars by using generic medications, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The FDA regulates generic medications. They are allowed on the market only after testing has proved they produce the same effect on the body as their brand-name counterparts. Not every drug has a generic. Generally, when brand-name drugs are first introduced, a patent protect...

Dealing With Late-Life Depression Everyone feels sad sometimes - it's a natural part of life. But when sadness or other symptoms of depression persist and interfere with your everyday life, you may be suffering from clinical depression. "Recognizing depression in older people isn't always easy," says Joel E. Streim, M.D., professor in the section on geriatric psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. "The depressed person or the person's family may think a change in mood or behavior is the person's ...

For Seniors: Fill Your Calendar for Better Health Do you have plans for the coming week? Have you set up a walk with a friend? Signed up for a class at the local community college? If not, don't just wait for your phone to ring. Experts suggest you make plans to get together with others—and do something. "Just as you plan a financial portfolio, it's good to develop a social portfolio as you age. Most people who go into retirement don't really plan how they are going to spend their time," says Gene D. Co...

For Older Adults: When You're Cooking for One If you are an older adult and live alone, you may not be giving your meals and nutrition enough thought. This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, weight loss or gain, constipation, and energy loss. You can avoid nutritional problems by selecting the right foods, making mealtimes more enjoyable, and adjusting your cooking habits, says the National Institute on Aging. Cooking and nutrition tips Don't skip breakfast. Missing the most important meal of...

For Seniors: Don’t Brush Off Dental Care Older adults may have dental concerns that can’t be totally taken care of with just brushing and flossing. Your dentist may have talked with you about the dental health issues that arise later in life, such as dentures or dry mouth. You can keep your teeth and gums in fine shape by continuing good dental care, no matter what concerns you have, the American Dental Association (ADA) says. Dentures Dentures may make your mouth less sensitive to hot foods and liquids...

Have Meals Lost Their Appeal? You know that you should eat, but you're not hungry. Even foods that you usually can't resist hold no appeal. Is it normal for your appetite to drop off like this? Having little interest in food once in a while is probably nothing to worry about. "But, any time you have a loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss for more than a couple of weeks, you should check in with your doctor," advises Michael Fleming, M.D., chairman of the board of the American Academy of Family...

It's Time to Think Positive Picture a rose bush in full bloom. What did you notice first: the roses or the thorns? A rose bush has plenty of both. But if you focused on the roses and overlooked the thorns, you were thinking positive. There is a lesson here. Thinking positive is a choice. It's a decision to appreciate the roses in your life (loved ones, favorite activities, and relaxing moments) while letting go of the thorns (stresses, disappointments, and losses). This doesn't mean pretending to be hap...

Make a Scrapbook for Your Grandkids Gifts from the heart matter the most, especially when they come from Grandma or Grandpa. If a grandchild is special to you, put your heart into showing it by creating a scrapbook. With just a small blank book, photos and other mementos, you can make a mini-album that records and celebrates your love for your grandchild. Ties that bind Creating this one-of-a-kind keepsake is sure to make your grandchild feel special. But beyond this, "you are making a family treasure t...

Preventing Falls One Step at a Time Although it's impossible to prevent all falls, you can help keep yourself safe as you grow older by improving your balance and employing "fall-proofing" behaviors in and around your home. "Falls are more dangerous for older adults than younger adults because serious emotional and physical injury can result from a single fall," says Neil B. Alexander, M.D., professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Michigan. Up to 30 percent of older adults who fall injure t...

Easy Ways for the Elderly to Prevent Falls Each year thousands of older men and women are disabled, sometimes permanently, by falls that result in broken bones. Yet small changes in homes and lifestyles can prevent such falls. The changes associated with aging include a decrease in visual acuity, hearing, muscle strength, balance, coordination and reflexes. These changes can make people more likely to fall. Older people also are more likely to have disorders that may affect their balance, such as diabet...

Hospices Offer Comfort at Life's End It's a subject no one wants to think about, but for each of us, our lives must come to an end. As medical progress prolongs our lives, the end can linger, draining patients and loved ones alike. So, more and more people are turning to hospice care. Hospice isn't just for elderly patients, says Carol Paprocki, public relations coordinator at Samaritan Hospice, the oldest and largest in southern New Jersey. Children receive hospice care, as do patients with Parkinson's...

It's Time for Boomers to Face the Facts Sorry to have to tell you this, baby boomers, but you're not kids anymore. And even though the 80 million boomers are rewriting the script for aging by staying more active than any earlier generation, they can't stop the clock. Age brings many changes, and boomers must change with it. They have to find a new balance, adjusting the way they live and caring for themselves to make the years ahead happy and healthy. The secret? Act your age and see your doctor. "No mo...

Staying Involved Adds Fun to Age Frances Blakney is the first person guests meet when they come for lunch at the Martin Luther King Older Adult Center in Philadelphia. She dispenses information, meal tickets, support and enthusiasm, and receives pleasure in return. "I volunteer every day," says Ms. Blakney, 73. "I enjoy going to the center and being active. When I sit around, my bones get stiff and my mind isn't as fluid." Ms. Blakney is putting into practice the best information experts have for mainta...

You Can Keep Yourself From Falling As you age, you may face a higher risk of falling. That doesn't mean you're going to fall. In fact, you can do a lot to keep yourself from falling. The best way to reduce your risk is to improve your overall level of fitness and flexibility, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Be sure to check with your doctor before you begin or alter an exercise program. Why people fall Age causes changes to your body that can increase your risk of falls. "As you get ...

Easy Ways to Remember to Take Your Medications About half of the 2 billion prescriptions filled each year aren't taken correctly, according to the National Council on Patient Information and Education. As a result, many Americans are putting their health and lives at risk. "Taking medication as prescribed is important to properly managing your health; an extra, missed or wrong dosage can be dangerous," says Denise Park, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Roybal Center on Aging and Cognit...

Five Ways to Age Gracefully In recent years, an increasing amount of scientific evidence has supported the idea that people can do quite a lot on their own to lengthen their life span and to enhance the quality of life as they age. Here are five steps to take every day that can promote healthy aging and boost longevity: 1. Eat healthy foods to help prevent diseases such as heart disease, cancer and stroke. In addition, maintain a healthy weight. To maintain a healthy weight, maintain strength and help p...

For Seniors: How About Losing Weight Today? Much to our dismay, it is quite common for people to gain weight as they age. Some of the gain is unavoidable, because as the body ages, body fat increases as lean muscle mass and bone mass decrease. Body fat doubles over the five decades from age 25 to age 75. Body weight increases until you reach age 60, when it begins to decline. Less lean body mass needs fewer calories to maintain, and a more sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies aging also requires f...

For Seniors: Is It More Than the Blues? Everyone has feelings of sadness or unhappiness now and then. When feelings of sadness or despair don't go away and interfere with daily life, depression may be the reason. Although anyone can suffer from depression, it is particularly common among older adults. Depression affects 15 out of every 100 adults older than 65, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Depression has an impact on all aspects of a person's life, taking a toll on physical and me...

Got Nutrients? As we grow older and our bodies and lifestyles change, our nutritional needs change, as well. We need about 20 percent fewer calories at age 80 than at age 30. About two-thirds of this decrease can be blamed on a more sedentary lifestyle that often comes with getting older, and the rest on a lower metabolic rate. Although healthy older adults who eat a balanced diet don't need a dietary supplement, several aspects of aging may increase the likelihood of a deficiency in key vitamins and mi...

Helping Grandchildren Make Healthy Meal Choices Bettye Nowlin is a Los Angeles grandmother who loves spending time with her 3-year-old granddaughter. She's also a registered dietitian. As a nutrition education specialist and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA), Ms. Nowlin knows that the nation's youth face a serious health risk from obesity. But that doesn't stop her from doing something grandparents are famous for. "We like to eat," she says. "Eating together and sitting around a ...